Otago Rugby Club had a fantastic 10-a-side rugby tournament in Cowichan, going undefeated in three matches and winning the event.
Otago spokesperson Jack Beardmore said the tournament, played on October 12, featured three hard-fought contests where the Otago club showed it was a contender.
Beardmore said the club arrived at the field at 11:30 am and the first game was not until an hour later.
“We had time to change and get a decent warmup for once,” said Beardmore. “As we were warming up, both coach Geoff Matheson and myself had a real chat with the guys and told them if we played the same way we played in our own 10-a-side tournament in August, we could do this.
“The guys were definitely focused and were ready to go.”
Beardmore said Otago had to play the host Cowichan club right off, which is a strong team.
“They were at home and had a lot of people watching them,” said Beardmore. “They wanted to win in front of their own people but we came out strong and played a very good first half. We went up one try to zero, with our former captain Steve Quigley scoring.”
In the second half, Cowichan went ahead on a try that they converted, so they were up seven points to five.
“Just as the game was winding down, we made a phenomenal run, busting through two of their players, and kicked the ball into the end zone where we dropped on it and scored, hitting the conversion and winning the game 12-7. It was a great start.”
Beardmore said by virtue of getting to Cowichan later in the morning, Otago had to play back-to-back, having a five-minute break before having to go up against Rising Tide, which is a young Vancouver Island team with quality players.
“Our guys stayed focused and determined,” said Beardmore. “Kevin Cote made a beautiful run through in the first half, scoring the try, but we missed the convert, so we were up five points to nil at the half.”
In the second half, Rising Tide pressed, but the Otago defenders played a coordinated game, according to Beardmore.
“In the last five minutes, we were getting a little tired but our defence held,” said Beardmore. “We almost scored a second try to put it away but the game ended up 5-0 for Powell River. It was amazing.”
After the second game, Otago had a break to recharge, facing off in the final match against the Castaway Wanderers from southern Vancouver Island.
“As much as they are a good team, I don’t think they had their best team there,” said Beardmore. “They had to play back-to-back when they played us.”
Otago lost a couple of players due to injury, so they had no spares in the game. Beardmore said there were a couple of players sitting on the sidelines with their arms in slings, so the local club had to make the best of what it had.
“I told the guys, ‘look, you have a chance to close this out,’” said Beardmore. “I told them to go at it hard, swing the ball wide, and that we could do this. While I was talking to the team, you could just see the focus.
“We went out and scored a try, almost right off, with Kevin Cote again crossing the line again. The Castaways came back and actually took the lead 7-5. Kevin decided he wanted to win the game, so he scored two trys to make it a hat trick. We beat them 20-7 and went undefeated.”
Beardmore said Otago has been on a great streak going back to the team’s 10-a-side tournament in August. He said since that time, Otago has played eight games and lost only two.
“The team is really starting to come together,” said Beardmore. “We’re getting that winning attitude back. When you believe you can win, you win. It’s also testament to Geoff’s coaching. The guys are listening to what he wants and it’s really happening.”
Beardmore said he is proud of the way Otago played in Cowichan.
“It was a great day,” said Beardmore. “We won the tournament hands-down. It really brought us together.”
The next tournament action for Otago is on November 9 in Victoria. Beardmore said the Otago players are pumped about their next games.
“Nobody’s going to be taking us lightly anymore,” he added.
Anyone interested in rugby can attend team practices on Thursdays at 5 pm at Cranberry Field.
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